MINIs on Top (MOT) Registration is now OPEN!!!

PepperMINI · Motorer

RE: MINIs on Top (MOT) Registration is now OPEN!!!

TrixieinNY · Motorer

My office is really bare right now, I've got a lot of stuff packed already and am fairly well prepared. *knock on wood*

Since we'll have Cammie and she can't really hang out to much at the Attitash, maybe I will see if the place we are staying has any picnic area or a grill... or if they can reccommend someplace close for a picnic.

-- Edited by TrixieinNY on Friday 12th of June 2009 01:57:29 PM

PepperMINI · Motorer

We could also make some food the night before, and bring with us (like Brian's pizza bread). Then we can eat wherever, and won't need a grill.

I'm so happy that Cammie's coming! Is she going to the top of the mountain, too?

SPDinNY · Motorer

Cammie is going to the top for sure =) I am pretty sure the cabin we rented has a grill but I am going to double check. If not we can bring one as we are taking her hardtop

PepperMINI · Motorer

Hey Charva, Mitch and Grammacoop3 - are you joining us?

Grammacoop3 · Motorist

We missed out on the registration but...are playing with the idea of motoring in that direction...Dennis took the week off so he could go with me while I attend a seminar in Rhode Island...we haven't made any definite plans...there's probably a fat chance of finding a place to stay within 100 miles...but hey...you never know.

Has there been a designated unofficial meet & greet spot set up?

Grammacoop3 · Motorist

Okay Peppermini...we flipped a coin and it turns out we will be joining you...we are staying at the Bartlett Inn...so I guess that's a definite YES biggrin

PepperMINI · Motorer

Woo-hoo! In looking through the materials, it seems as though the only event that you would be precluded from would be the actual ascent up the mountain. I don't see any reason why you couldn't join the other events (e.g. trivia night on Friday, the drives around NH on Saturday, and the meeting at the base of the mountain Sunday afternoon).

Also, I recall that last year some people were selling their tickets to go to the top. There may still be an opportunity!

tedscar · Motorer

Excellent! Sounds like a Thursday night soiree not to be missed (except by those who'll miss it).

We won't bring a grill, but will be happy to maybe make something to transport (ruh roh--don't want to spill in the MINI) or buy supplies when we get up there.

TrixieinNY · Motorer

I was going to say the same thing. You can probably get tickets to the top from people who decide not to go... We passed on it last year, but are really looking forward to it this year. (no rain no rain no rain!)

tedscar · Motorer

SPDinNY wrote:

Cammie is going to the top for sure =)

Does Cammie have Doggles? You sold the convertible? Maybe she won't need 'em (except for reading).

Unfortunately, we won't be going to the top this year. We thought / hoped we'd be taking Ted and she wasn't all too pleased with us when we drove around SOME of the twisty back roads. And in her later months, we never knew when we'd have to stop for her. I guess we'll be the cheering squad for MCWNY on your descent...

PepperMINI · Motorer

Ok, so it looks like we have the following signed up for a Thursday drive up to NH:

Mark and Nicole (Spd & Trixie)
Kim and Jill (tedscar)
grammacoop3
Holly and Brian (and Pepper, of course!)

Anyone else interested?

TrixieinNY · Motorer

Ok, I've been in touch with the lovely Miriam and Nick at the Bartlett Inn (where we're staying). They are ok with us getting together for a cookout and have a grill and some picnic tables we can use as long as we don't get rowdy and there isn't (too much) consumption of alcohol.

So, how about dinner on Friday before the events up at the Attitash? I figure on Thursday when we get there we'll probably want to get settled in our rooms and such, so Friday may be a good time to get together, and include anyone who is arriving on Friday that may wish to attend.

PepperMINI · Motorer

Rowdy would not be a word I would use to describe us. Fun, yes. Rowdy, not so much. Friday sounds good, we'll probably end up eating at a local restaurant on Thursday when we arrive.

What food do you want for the picnic?

SPDinNY · Motorer

I will bring hot dogs for me since they travel well....I will have Nicole chime in

tedscar · Motorer

We're in for the rowdy picnic. I have an aversion to trucking (or Motoring) food for many hours if there are local options that aren't unreasonable. I assume (and I know I shouldn't) that there's a store in Bartlett? OK, I just looked. Maybe not in Bartlett, but since we'll have some time Fridee, we'll probably get something up there. We'll run it by the committee though as no good decisions should be made in a vacuum.

PepperMINI · Motorer

We can bring garden burgers and/or pizza bread. There's a walmart near the hotel that we stayed in last year, but I think it's pretty far away from this year's hotel.

SPDinNY · Motorer

my aunts house is about 40 minutes away...errr well everything is 40 minutes away LOL!

I cant wait for chinese food!

Mitch · Motorer

Yes I think we are joining you. We are going to MOT but we are not sure what time Thursday we will be able to leave.

Would it be possible if someone could summarize the plans that have been made for meeting up. Where, what time, plans?

I am so excited for this event.

TrixieinNY · Motorer

Mitch - please do join us!

It sounds like the meet up point will be the Hampton Inn in Victor, which is off exit 45 from the Thruway.

Another possible meet-up point for people who are coming from west of Rochester and don't want to get off the thruway would be to meet up at the Clifton Springs rest stop (milepost 337, between exits 43 and 42).

It's about an 8 hour drive from Rochester to Bartlett, not including stops for food, petrol etc. So I'm not sure what time everyone will want to get started. Mark and I are flexible.

tedscar · Motorer

Plans???? Do we need stinking plans? Well, I guess we probably do.

We're pretty flexible. Both are early-uppers so whatever time and place work for everyone, I'm sure we can swing it. Mitch, that's great that you're joining in! Sounds like we'll have a good fleet of MINIs; better make sure the radios are charged, eh?

PepperMINI · Motorer

We're happy to do the Clifton Springs rest stop as well; it's near the entrance that we normally get on the Thruway (so Victor is a little bit of a back track for us, but not too much). That way, we have a gas station and restrooms there as well. Unlike Kim, I am not much of a morning person; however, it is a very long trip up there (especially when you add in rest stops, lunch, and gas-ups), I don't want to roll in to NH too late.

Last year, we met at 8:00, and I would like to stay in the 8:00-9:00 range if possible so that we will get there around dinner time (yes, my life is ruled by food!).

SPDinNY · Motorer

Holly you could always just drive to Clifton Springs and get on the thruway there. The rest stop is after the Clifton Springs onramp (about 2 miles)

just take 350 to 31f to 31 east to 21 south in Palmyra right to the thruway enterance in Manchester.

-- Edited by SPDinNY on Tuesday 16th of June 2009 03:09:50 PM

PepperMINI · Motorer

I know. That's what I was trying to say. The rest stop is close to the exit that we normally enter the Thruway on, but going to Victor doesn't add much to our trip either if that's preferable to the team. Sorry I didn't articulate that very well.

tedscar · Motorer

Once we figure out where we'll start from, what's our route? Are we going the MINI way (all backroads) or are we going the amateur way (interstate), or a combination of both?

Gee, this is getting close now, isn't it? We've been in a daze for a while but this is a great way of coming out of it. Very much looking forward to this adventure!

TrixieinNY · Motorer

Google came up with this route, which looks to be a combination of highway and other roads and won't take 10+ hours... sounds like a good plan to me.

We're open minded, so whatever is good for us.

tedscar · Motorer

TrixieinNY wrote:
We're open minded, so whatever is good for us.

Us too, really. Though sometimes it's not practical, I am definitely finding the MINI is more fun on non-interstates. But let's face it--it's really a kick anywhere!

SPDinNY · Motorer

honestly tho back roads in a Mini caravan are not a good idea on a long trip like this. Especially if cars keep getting stuck at lights. That is just my 2 cents

PepperMINI · Motorer

You're probably right. Plus, we'll have plenty of drives through the back roads on Saturday!

Mitch · Motorer

We may not be leaving and going the whole way on thursday. Our plan is probably to go to the YC meet up thursday night and then come in with that group. I think my Dad was planning on working Thursday and our reservations at the Attitash do not start until Friday night.

So anyway I will talk with my Father tonight about possible change of plans.